US20230246220A1 - Cell, cell stack device, module, and module housing device - Google Patents
Cell, cell stack device, module, and module housing device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20230246220A1 US20230246220A1 US17/921,401 US202117921401A US2023246220A1 US 20230246220 A1 US20230246220 A1 US 20230246220A1 US 202117921401 A US202117921401 A US 202117921401A US 2023246220 A1 US2023246220 A1 US 2023246220A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- gas
- metal portion
- cell
- flow passage
- module
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
- H01M8/247—Arrangements for tightening a stack, for accommodation of a stack in a tank or for assembling different tanks
- H01M8/2475—Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
- H01M8/12—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
- H01M8/1213—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte characterised by the electrode/electrolyte combination or the supporting material
- H01M8/1226—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte characterised by the electrode/electrolyte combination or the supporting material characterised by the supporting layer
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
- H01M8/0206—Metals or alloys
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
- H01M8/0206—Metals or alloys
- H01M8/0208—Alloys
- H01M8/021—Alloys based on iron
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
- H01M8/0223—Composites
- H01M8/0228—Composites in the form of layered or coated products
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0247—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the form
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0258—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
- H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
- H01M8/12—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/241—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
- H01M8/2425—High-temperature cells with solid electrolytes
- H01M8/2432—Grouping of unit cells of planar configuration
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
- H01M8/2483—Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by internal manifolds
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
- H01M8/2484—Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by external manifolds
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
- H01M8/12—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
- H01M2008/1293—Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a cell, a cell stack device, a module, and a module housing device.
- the plurality of fuel cells each are a type of cell capable of obtaining electrical power, by using a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas such as air.
- Patent Document 1 JP 2016-195029 A
- a cell in an aspect of an embodiment, includes an element portion, a gas-flow passage, a first metal portion, a second metal portion, and a reinforcing portion.
- Reaction gas flows through the gas-flow passage.
- the first metal portion is located between one surface side of the gas-flow passage and the element portion, and supports the element portion.
- the second metal portion is located on the other surface side opposite to the one surface side of the gas-flow passage.
- the reinforcing portion is located inside the gas-flow passage and faces the first metal portion and the second metal portion.
- a cell stack device of the present disclosure includes a cell stack including a plurality of the cells mentioned above.
- a module of the present disclosure includes the cell stack device mentioned above and a housing container that houses the cell stack device.
- a module housing device of the present disclosure includes the module mentioned above, an auxiliary device for operating the module, and an external case that houses the module and the auxiliary device.
- FIG. 1 A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cell according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 1 B is a side view illustrating the example of the cell according to the embodiment as viewed from an air electrode side.
- FIG. 2 A is a perspective view illustrating an example of a cell stack device according to the embodiment.
- FIG. 2 B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X illustrated in FIG. 2 A .
- FIG. 2 C is a top view illustrating the example of the cell stack device according to the embodiment.
- FIG. 3 A is an exploded perspective view of a structure.
- FIG. 3 B is a perspective view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3 A .
- FIG. 4 A is a first cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3 B .
- FIG. 4 B is a second cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3 B .
- FIG. 5 A is a perspective view illustrating another example of the structure.
- FIG. 5 B is a perspective view illustrating another example of the structure.
- FIG. 5 C is a perspective view illustrating another example of the structure.
- FIG. 5 D is a perspective view illustrating another example of the structure.
- FIG. 6 A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region A illustrated in FIG. 1 A .
- FIG. 6 B is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the region A illustrated in FIG. 1 A .
- FIG. 7 A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cell according to a variation of the embodiment.
- FIG. 7 B is a developed view illustrating an example of a structure according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 7 C is a developed view illustrating another example of the structure according to the embodiment.
- FIG. 8 is an exterior perspective view illustrating an example of a module according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a module housing device according to an embodiment.
- FIGS. 1 A and 1 B an example of a solid oxide type fuel cell will be described as a cell according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 1 A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cell 1 according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 1 B is a side view of the example of the cell 1 according to the embodiment as viewed from an air electrode 5 side. Note that FIGS. 1 A and 1 B illustrate an enlarged portion of each configuration of the cell 1 .
- the cell 1 is hollow and flat plate-shaped.
- the overall shape of the cell 1 when viewed from the side is, for example, a rectangle having a side length of from 5 cm to 50 cm in a length direction L and a length of from 1 cm to 10 cm in a width direction W orthogonal to the length direction L.
- the thickness in a thickness direction T of the entire cell 1 is, for example, from 1 mm to 5 mm.
- the cell 1 includes a structure 2 and an element portion.
- the structure 2 has a stacked structure in which a plurality of metal members are stacked up in the thickness direction T.
- An electrically conductive member 6 is located between adjacent cells 1 .
- the electrically conductive member 6 electrically connects a plurality of cells 1 .
- the element portion is located on one surface side of the structure 2 .
- the element portion includes a fuel electrode 3 , a solid electrolyte layer 4 , and an air electrode 5 .
- the air electrode 5 extends neither to the lower end nor the upper end of the cell 1 .
- the solid electrolyte layer 4 is exposed to the surface.
- the solid electrolyte layer 4 is located on an end surface in the width direction W and the length direction L of the fuel electrode 3 . Since the solid electrolyte layer 4 is located on the end surface of the fuel electrode 3 , the leakage of the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas is less likely to occur.
- a material having gas blocking properties may be positioned on the end surface of the fuel electrode 3 .
- the material having gas blocking properties may be, for example, glass.
- the structure 2 includes therein gas-flow passages 2 a through which the reaction gas flows.
- the structure 2 includes, for example, an inlet and an outlet of the gas-flow passages 2 a at an end portion in the length direction L of the cell 1 .
- the reaction gas supplied to the inlet of the gas-flow passages 2 a flows through the gas-flow passages 2 a located inside the structure 2 , and is discharged from the outlet of the gas-flow passages 2 a to the outside of the structure 2 .
- the reaction gas is, for example, a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas.
- the structure 2 may include a portion that has gas permeability and transmits the fuel gas flowing through the gas-flow passages 2 a to the fuel electrode 3 .
- the structure 2 may have electrical conductivity.
- each of the inlet and the outlet may be located at a respective one of both ends in the length direction L, or the inlet and the outlet may be located both at one end side in the length direction L.
- the material of the structure 2 may be, for example, stainless steel.
- the structure 2 may contain, for example, a metal oxide.
- a coating film may be positioned at a portion exposed to an oxidizing atmosphere, of the structure 2 .
- the cell 1 may include a coating layer that is located between the structure 2 and the oxidizing atmosphere and that contains at least any one of zinc, manganese, and cobalt.
- the chromium (Cr) contained in the metal material of the structure 2 is less likely to be released into the oxidizing atmosphere during high-temperature operation. Therefore, according to the embodiment, the structure 2 can have enhanced durability, and thus the cell 1 can have enhanced durability.
- a coating film may be positioned at a portion exposed to a reducing atmosphere, of the structure 2 .
- the cell 1 may include a coating layer that is located between the structure 2 and the reducing atmosphere and that contains CeO 2 .
- the constituent elements are less likely to be released from the portion exposed to the reducing atmosphere of the structure 2 . Therefore, according to the embodiment, the structure 2 can have enhanced durability, and thus the cell 1 can have enhanced durability.
- the structure 2 includes a support plate 7 , a channel plate 8 , and a sealing plate 9 .
- the support plate 7 is a first metal portion located between the gas-flow passages 2 a and the element portion.
- One surface of the support plate 7 supports the fuel electrode 3 , and the other surface on the opposite side to that of the one surface of the support plate 7 faces the gas-flow passages 2 a .
- the support plate 7 includes openings 7 a that penetrate from the one surface to the other surface.
- the support plate 7 has gas permeability. For example, the support plate 7 can transmit the fuel gas through the openings 7 a .
- the channel plate 8 includes gas-flow passages 2 a through which the fuel gas flows.
- the gas-flow passages 2 a are in communication with the openings 7 a .
- the fuel gas flowing through the gas-flow passages 2 a is supplied to the fuel electrode 3 through the openings 7 a .
- the sealing plate 9 faces the channel plate 8 .
- the sealing plate 9 is a second metal portion that seals the gas-flow passages 2 a .
- the other surface on the opposite side to that of the one surface of the sealing plate 9 is exposed to the oxidizing atmosphere.
- the electrically conductive member 6 is located on the other surface.
- the sealing plate 9 has gas blocking properties. For example, the sealing plate 9 does not transmit the fuel gas flowing through the gas-flow passages 2 a .
- the support plate 7 which is the first metal portion
- the sealing plate 9 which is the second metal portion, face each other with the gas-flow passages 2 a interposed therebetween.
- the structure 2 further includes reinforcing portions 8 a .
- the reinforcing portions 8 a are located inside the gas-flow passages 2 a .
- One surface of each of the reinforcing portions 8 a faces the support plate 7
- the other surface on the opposite side to that of the one surface of each of the reinforcing portions 8 a faces the sealing plate 9 .
- the reinforcing portions 8 a extend in the length direction L of the cell 1 . Since the reinforcing portions 8 a are located inside the gas-flow passages 2 a , deformation of the structure 2 such as, for example, bending of the support plate 7 and/or the sealing plate 9 can be reduced. Accordingly, the structure 2 has enhanced durability, and thus the cell 1 can have enhanced durability.
- the reinforcing portions 8 a located inside the gas-flow passages 2 a impart pressure loss to the fuel gas flowing through the gas-flow passages 2 a . Accordingly, the fuel gas flowing through the gas-flow passages 2 a is easily supplied to the fuel electrode 3 via the opening 7 a side. This improves the power generation performance of the cell 1 .
- the reinforcing portions 8 a may be located as separate members, for example. Alternatively, the reinforcing portions 8 a may be located as members integrated with another member located around the gas-flow passages 2 a such as, for example, the channel plate 8 or the sealing plate 9 .
- the material of the fuel electrode 3 As the material of the fuel electrode 3 , a commonly known material may be used. As the material of the fuel electrode 3 , a porous conductive ceramic, for example, or a ceramic containing ZrO 2 in which calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or a rare earth element oxide is contained as a solid solution, and Ni and/or NiO may be used. As the rare earth element oxide, for example, Y 2 O 3 or the like is used.
- ZrO 2 in which calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or a rare earth element oxide is contained as a solid solution may be referred to as stabilized zirconia.
- the stabilized zirconia also includes partially stabilized zirconia.
- the solid electrolyte layer 4 is an electrolyte and bridges ions between the fuel electrode 3 and the air electrode 5 . At the same time, the solid electrolyte layer 4 has gas blocking properties, and makes leakage of the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas less likely to occur.
- the material of the solid electrolyte layer 4 may be, for example, ZrO 2 in which 3 mol% to 15 mol% of a rare earth element oxide is contained as a solid solution.
- a rare earth element oxide for example, Y 2 O 3 or the like is used.
- another material may be used as the material of the solid electrolyte layer 4 , as long as the material has the aforementioned characteristics.
- the material of the air electrode 5 is not particularly limited, as long as the material is commonly used for an air electrode.
- the material of the air electrode 5 may be, for example, a conductive ceramic such as an ABO 3 type perovskite oxide.
- the material of the air electrode 5 may be, for example, a composite oxide in which Sr and La coexist in an A site.
- a composite oxide include La x Sr 1-x Co y Fe 1-y O 3 , La x Sr 1-x MnO 3 , La x Sr 1-x FeO 3 , and La x Sr 1-x CoO 3 .
- x is 0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1
- y is 0 ⁇ y ⁇ 1 .
- the air electrode 5 has gas permeability.
- the open porosity of the air electrode 5 may be, for example, 20% or more, and particularly may be in a range from 30% to 50%.
- FIG. 2 A is a perspective view illustrating an example of the cell stack device 10 according to the embodiment.
- FIG. 2 B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X illustrated in FIG. 2 A .
- FIG. 2 C is a top view illustrating the example of the cell stack device 10 according to the embodiment.
- the cell stack device 10 includes a cell stack 11 that includes a plurality of the cells 1 arrayed (stacked) in the thickness direction T (see FIG. 1 A ) of the cell 1 , and a fixing member 12 .
- the fixing member 12 includes a bonding material 13 and a support member 14 .
- the support member 14 supports the cells 1 .
- the bonding material 13 bonds the cells 1 with the support member 14 .
- the support member 14 includes a support body 15 and a gas tank 16 .
- the support body 15 and the gas tank 16 constituting the support member 14 , are made of metal and electrically conductive.
- the support body 15 includes an insertion hole 15 a into which the lower end portion of the plurality of cells 1 are inserted.
- the lower end portions of the plurality of cells 1 and an inner wall of the insertion hole 15 a are bonded by the bonding material 13 .
- the gas tank 16 includes an opening portion through which a reaction gas is supplied to the plurality of cells 1 via the insertion hole 15 a , and a recessed groove 16 a located in the periphery of the opening portion.
- An outer peripheral end portion of the support body 15 is fixed to the gas tank 16 by a fixing material 21 filled in the recessed groove 16 a of the gas tank 16 .
- the fuel gas is stored in an internal space 22 formed by the support body 15 and the gas tank 16 .
- the support body 15 and the gas tank 16 constitute the support member 14 .
- the gas tank 16 includes a gas circulation pipe 20 connected thereto.
- the fuel gas is supplied to the gas tank 16 through this gas circulation pipe 20 , and is supplied from the gas tank 16 to the gas-flow passages 2 a (see FIG. 1 A ) inside the cells 1 .
- the fuel gas supplied to the gas tank 16 is produced by a reformer 102 (see FIG. 8 ), which will be described later.
- a hydrogen-rich fuel gas can be produced, for example, by steam reforming a raw fuel.
- the fuel gas contains steam.
- the cell stack 11 including a plurality of cells 1 includes two rows of cell stacks 11 , two support bodies 15 , and the gas tank 16 . Two rows of the cell stacks 11 each have a plurality of cells 1 . Each of the cell stacks 11 is fixed to a corresponding one of the support bodies 15 .
- the gas tank 16 includes two through holes in an upper surface thereof. Each of the support bodies 15 is disposed in a corresponding one of the through holes.
- the internal space 22 is formed by the single gas tank 16 and the two support bodies 15 .
- the insertion hole 15 a has, for example, an oval shape in a top surface view.
- the length of the insertion hole 15 a for example, in an array direction of the cells 1 , that is, the thickness direction T thereof, is greater than the distance between two end current collectors 17 located at two ends of the cell stack 11 .
- the width of the insertion hole 15 a is, for example, greater than the length of the cell 1 in the width direction W (see FIG. 1 A ).
- the shape of the insertion hole 15 a may be substantially rectangular long in the array direction of the cells 1 .
- the bonding material 13 is filled and solidified in a bonding portion between the inner wall of the insertion hole 15 a and the lower end portion of the cells 1 .
- the inner wall of the insertion hole 15 a and the lower end portion of the plurality of cells 1 are bonded and fixed, and the lower end portions of the cells 1 are bonded and fixed to each other.
- Each of the cells 1 includes, at the lower end portion thereof, the gas-flow passages 2 a that communicate with the internal space 22 of the support member 14 .
- a material having a low conductivity such as glass can be used.
- a specific material of the bonding material 13 and the fixing material 21 an amorphous glass or the like may be used, or particularly, a crystallized glass or the like may be used.
- any one of SiO 2 -CaO-based, MgO-B 2 O 3 -based, La 2 O 3 -B 2 O 3 -MgO-based, La 2 O 3 -B 2 O 3 -ZnO-based, and SiO 2 -CaO-ZnO-based materials may be used, or particularly, a SiO 2 -MgO-based material may be used.
- an electrically conductive member 6 is interposed between adjacent cells 1 of the plurality of cells 1 .
- the electrically conductive member 6 is bonded to the air electrode 5 with an adhesive.
- the electrically conductive member 6 includes an opening penetrating the electrically conductive member 6 in the thickness direction. Air is supplied to the air electrode 5 via this opening.
- the end current collectors 17 are electrically connected to the cells 1 located at the outermost sides in the array direction of the plurality of cells 1 .
- the end current collectors 17 are each connected to an electrically conductive portion 19 protruding outward from the cell stack 11 .
- the electrically conductive portion 19 collects electricity generated by the cells 1 , and conducts the electricity to the outside. Note that in FIG. 2 A , the end current collectors 17 are not illustrated.
- the electrically conductive portion 19 of the cell stack device 10 is divided into a positive electrode terminal 19 A, a negative electrode terminal 19 B, and a connection terminal 19 C.
- the positive electrode terminal 19 A functions as a positive electrode when the electrical power generated by the cell stack 11 is output to the outside, and is electrically connected to the end current collector 17 on a positive electrode side in the cell stack 11 A.
- the negative electrode terminal 19 B functions as a negative electrode when the electrical power generated by the cell stack 11 is output to the outside, and is electrically connected to the end current collector 17 on a negative electrode side in the cell stack 11 B.
- connection terminal 19 C electrically connects the end current collector 17 on a negative electrode side in the cell stack 11 A and the end current collector 17 on a positive electrode side in the cell stack 11 B.
- the material of the electrically conductive member 6 , the end current collectors 17 , and the electrically conductive portion 19 may each be a conductive metal or alloy, for example, stainless steel.
- the electrically conductive members 6 , the end current collectors 17 , and the electrically conductive portion 19 may include a coating layer containing, for example, at least any one of zinc, manganese, and cobalt.
- FIG. 3 A is an exploded perspective view of a structure.
- FIG. 3 B is a perspective view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3 A .
- the structure 2 includes the support plate 7 , the channel plate 8 , and the sealing plate 9
- the support plate 7 includes openings 7 a that penetrate the support plate 7 in the thickness direction.
- the channel plate 8 includes a first channel plate 81 and a second channel plate 82 .
- the first channel plate 81 includes reinforcing portions 8 a and opening portions 8 b .
- the opening portions 8 b penetrate the first channel plate 81 in the thickness direction and extend in the length direction L.
- the opening portions 8 b are located in plurality and side-by-side in the width direction W of the first channel plate 81 .
- the reinforcing portions 8 a are sandwiched between adjacent opening portions 8 b .
- the second channel plate 82 includes protruding portions 8 c and cutout portions 8 d .
- the protruding portion 8 c and the cutout portion 8 d are located at both ends in the length direction L of the second channel plate 82 so as to correspond to the reinforcing portions 8 a and the opening portion 8 b of the first channel plate 81 , respectively.
- the sealing plate 9 is a flat plate-shaped metal member.
- the support plate 7 , the first channel plate 81 , the second channel plate 82 , and the sealing plate 9 have substantially the same dimensions in the length direction L and the width direction W.
- the support plate 7 , the first channel plate 81 , the second channel plate 82 , and the sealing plate 9 are bonded to each other at least at the end portion in the length direction L and the width direction W by brazing, welding, or diffusion bonding, and are integrated as the structure 2 .
- the structure 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.
- FIG. 4 A is a first cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3 B .
- FIG. 4 B is a second cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3 B .
- FIGS. 4 A and 4 B are cross-sectional views of the structure 2 illustrated in FIG. 3 B as viewed in the thickness direction T of the structure 2 along the length direction L and the width direction W, respectively.
- the reinforcing portions 8 a face the support plate 7 that serves as the first metal portion and the second channel plate 82 that serves as the second metal portion. This can suppress deformation of the support plate 7 and the second channel plate 82 .
- the reinforcing portions 8 a are integrally formed as part of the first channel plate 81 that serves as a third metal portion. This can reduce the number of parts and enhance the design accuracy of the structure 2 . Since the structure 2 can have reduced bonding points, the structure 2 can have improved durability. Accordingly, the cell 1 including such a structure 2 has improved durability.
- the opening portions 8 b are in communication with the cutout portion 8 d of the second channel plate 82 .
- the fuel gas supplied from the cutout portion 8 d side located on one end side in the length direction L is discharged from the cutout portion 8 d side located on the other end side in the length direction L via the opening portions 8 b . That is, the opening portions 8 b and the cutout portion 8 d are also the gas-flow passages 2 a illustrated in FIG. 1 A .
- the channel plate 8 is constituted by the first channel plate 81 and the second channel plate 82 stacked on each other, the fuel gas supplied to the inside of the structure 2 flows in the thickness direction T from the cutout portions 8 d toward the opening portions 8 b . Accordingly, the fuel gas flowing through the gas-flow passages 2 a is easily supplied to the fuel electrode 3 (see FIG. 1 A ) via the opening 7 a side. This improves the power generation performance of the cell 1 .
- FIGS. 5 A to 5 D are perspective views illustrating another example of the structure.
- a structure 2 A includes outer edges 23 , reinforcing portions 24 , channel portions 25 , and a rear surface portion 26 .
- the structure 2 A also includes an unillustrated support plate 7 (see FIG. 3 A ).
- the outer edges 23 and the reinforcing portions 24 abut on the support plate 7 .
- the channel portion 25 corresponds to the gas-flow passages 2 a (see FIG. 1 A ) located between the structure 2 A and the support plate 7 .
- the electrically conductive member 6 (see FIG. 1 A ) is located at the rear surface portion 26 . That is, the structure 2 A can be used in place of, for example, the channel plate 8 and the sealing plate 9 illustrated in FIG. 1 A .
- a structure 2 B differs from the structure 2 A in that protruding portions 27 and recessed portions 28 are located at the rear surface portion 26 .
- the recessed portion 28 located at the rear surface portion 26 can be utilized as a gas-flow passages through which the oxygen-containing gas flows.
- a structure 2 C differs from the structure 2 A in that the structure 2 C includes a plurality of reinforcing portions 29 protruding from the channel portion 25 instead of the reinforcing portions 24 extending in the length direction. Even when such a structure 2 C is used, the structure 2 C including the support plate 7 can have improved durability. Accordingly, the cell 1 including such a structure 2 C has improved durability.
- the structure 2 C including the reinforcing portions 29 imparts greater pressure loss to the reaction gas flowing through the channel portion 25 compared to the structure 2 A including the reinforcing portions 24 . Accordingly, the reaction gas flowing through the channel portion 25 is easily supplied to the fuel electrode 3 via the openings 7 a side of the support plate 7 . This improves the power generation performance of the cell 1 .
- a structure 2 D including reinforcing portions 30 extending in the width direction intersecting the length direction through which the reaction gas flows may be positioned in the cell 1 . Since the reinforcing portions 30 extend so as to intersect the direction in which the reaction gas flows, the pressure loss imparted to the reaction gas flowing through the channel portion 25 is greater compared to a case in which reinforcing portions 24 extending along the direction in which the reaction gas flows are included. Accordingly, the reaction gas flowing through the channel portion 25 is easily supplied to the fuel electrode 3 via the opening 7 a side of the support plate 7 . This improves the power generation performance of the cell 1 . Note that the length direction in which the reaction gas flows is a first direction, that is, the direction directed from the inlet toward the outlet of the gas-flow passages 2 a . The width direction is a second direction, that is, the direction intersecting the first direction.
- FIG. 6 A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region A illustrated in FIG. 1 A .
- a coating layer 71 is located on the surface on the fuel electrode 3 side of the support plate 7 .
- An adhesive 31 having electrical conductivity is located between the fuel electrode 3 and the support plate 7 (coating layer 71 ), and adheres the fuel electrode 3 and the support plate 7 (coating layer 71 ) to each other.
- the coating layer 71 is a natural oxide film containing, for example, chromium oxide (Cr 2 O 3 ).
- the coating layer 71 may also contain electrically conductive particles and titanium.
- the electrically conductive particles contain, for example, nickel.
- the electrically conductive particles may also contain, for example, yttrium.
- the adhesive 31 contains electrically conductive particles such as Ni, for example, and inorganic oxides such as TiO 2 and Y 2 O 3 .
- the adhesive 31 has gas permeability and electrical conductivity.
- the adhesive 31 is located between the fuel electrode 3 and the support plate 7 (coating layer 71 ). However, the adhesive 31 need not be located therebetween.
- FIG. 6 B is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the region A illustrated in FIG. 1 A .
- the fuel electrode 3 and the support plate 7 (coating layer 71 ) may face each other with no adhesive interposed therebetween.
- the fuel electrode 3 facing the openings 7 a and serving as the first electrode may protrude into the openings 7 a (e.g., the state 3 a ). Since the fuel electrode 3 protrudes into the openings 7 a , for example, even when no adhesive is interposed therebetween, the bonding strength between the fuel electrode 3 and the support plate 7 (coating layer 71 ) is improved, and thus the cell 1 has improved durability.
- the fuel electrode 3 may be located spaced apart from the openings 7 a (e.g., the state 3 b ).
- the adhesive 31 may be located between the fuel electrode 3 and the support plate 7 (coating layer 71 ), and the adhesive 31 may be located inside the openings 7 a .
- FIG. 7 A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cell according to a variation of the embodiment.
- a cell 1 A includes a structure 40 made of metal located between element portions that are adjacent in the thickness direction T.
- the structure 40 includes a first support portion 41 , a channel portion 42 , a second support portion 43 , and connecting portions 44 and 45 .
- the first support portion 41 supports the fuel electrode 3 of the element portion, and the other surface on the opposite side to that of the one surface of the first support portion 41 faces the gas-flow passages 2 a .
- the first support portion 41 also includes openings 41 a that penetrate from the one surface to the other surface.
- the gas-flow passages 2 a and the fuel electrode 3 are in communication with each other through the openings 41 a .
- the first support portion 41 is an example of the first metal portion.
- the channel portion 42 is an example of the second metal portion.
- the second support portion 43 supports the air electrode 5 of the element portion included in an adjacent cell 1 A, and the other surface on the opposite side to that of the one surface of the second support portion 43 faces the air introduction portion 49 .
- the second support portion 43 includes openings 43 a that penetrate from the one surface to the other surface.
- the air introduction portion 49 and the air electrode 5 are in communication with each other through the openings 43 a .
- the second support portion 43 is an example of a fourth metal portion.
- the connecting portion 44 connects the first support portion 41 and the channel portion 42 .
- the connecting portion 44 is located on one end side in the width direction W, and connects the first support portion 41 and the channel portion 42 .
- a spacer 46 is located on the other end side in the width direction W with the gas-flow passages 2 a interposed between the connecting portion 44 and the spacer 46 .
- the spacer 46 ensures the airtightness of the gas-flow passages 2 a and the strength of the structure 40 .
- the connecting portion 45 connects the channel portion 42 and the second support portion 43 .
- the connecting portion 45 is located on the other end side in the width direction W, and connects the channel portion 42 and the second support portion 43 .
- a spacer 47 is located on the other end side in the width direction W with the gas-flow passages 2 a interposed between the connecting portion 45 and the spacer 47 . The spacer 47 ensures the strength of the structure 40 .
- the structure 40 is constituted by one continuous metal material in this manner, the electrical conductivity increases compared to a case in which a plurality of metal materials are stacked on each other. This reduces the internal resistance of the cell 1 A, and thus improves the battery performance. Since the number of parts is reduced, the bonding or adhering points between members are reduced. This makes it relatively easy to ensure the airtightness of the gas-flow passages 2 a , for example, and the cell 1 A can have enhanced durability.
- reinforcing portions 48 serving as the third metal portion may be located inside the gas-flow passages 2 a . This can further enhance the strength of the structure 40 , and thus the cell 1 A can have enhanced durability. This can also impart pressure loss to the fuel gas flowing inside the gas-flow passages 2 a . and thus the fuel gas can easily flow into the opening 41 a that are in communication with the fuel electrode 3 .
- reinforcing portions may be located inside the air introduction portion 49 .
- the outside of the cell 1 A and the air introduction portion 49 are in communication with each other through the openings 43 a located at the end portions in the width direction W. Accordingly, the oxygen-containing gas (air) can be easily taken into the inside of the cell 1 A via the openings 43 a .
- FIG. 7 A a configuration is illustrated in which the opening 43 a located at both end portions in the width direction W are in communication with the outside of the cell 1 A.
- the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and an opening 43 a located at one end in the width direction W may be in communication with the outside of the cell 1 A.
- FIG. 7 B is a developed view illustrating an example of the structure 40 according to the embodiment.
- FIG. 7 C is a developed view illustrating another example of the structure 40 according to the embodiment. Note that in FIGS. 7 B and 7 C , illustration of the openings 41 a and 43 a is omitted.
- the structure 40 can be manufactured by bending a rectangular plate-shaped member made of a metal material.
- the structure 40 illustrated in FIG. 7 A can be manufactured, for example, by making a mountain fold at the line L 1 and making a valley fold at the line L 2 .
- a structure 40 A similar to the structure 40 may be manufactured by bending a rectangular plate-shaped member made of a metal material.
- the structure 40 A including a first support portion 41 A, a channel portion 42 A, a second support portion 43 A, a connecting portion 44 A, and a connecting portion 50 can be obtained by making a mountain fold at the line L 1 and making a valley fold at the line L 2 .
- the first support portion 41 A, the channel portion 42 A, the second support portion 43 A. and the connecting portion 44 A correspond to the first support portion 41 , the channel portion 42 . the second support portion 43 , and the connecting portion 44 illustrated in FIG. 7 B , respectively.
- the configuration corresponding to the connecting portion 45 in FIG. 7 B may be constituted by a spacer or the like, for example.
- FIG. 8 is an exterior perspective view illustrating a module according to the embodiment.
- FIG. 8 illustrates a state in which a front surface and a rear surface, which are part of a housing container 101 , are removed and the cell stack device 10 , which is a fuel cell housed inside, is pulled out to the rear.
- the module 100 includes the housing container 101 , and the cell stack device 10 housed in the housing container 101 . Also, the reformer 102 is disposed above the cell stack device 10 .
- the reformer 102 generates a fuel gas by reforming a raw fuel such as natural gas and kerosene, and supplies the fuel gas to the cell 1 .
- the raw fuel is supplied to the reformer 102 through the raw fuel supply pipe 103 .
- the reformer 102 may include a vaporizing unit 102 a for vaporizing water and a reforming unit 102 b .
- the reforming unit 102 b includes a reforming catalyst (not illustrated) for reforming the raw fuel into a fuel gas.
- Such a reformer 102 can perform steam reforming, which is a highly efficient reforming reaction.
- the fuel gas generated by the reformer 102 is supplied to the gas-flow passage 2 a (see FIG. 1 A ) of the cell 1 through the gas circulation pipe 20 , the gas tank 16 , and the support member 14 .
- the temperature in the module 100 during normal power generation is about 500° C. to 1000° C. due to combustion of gas and power generation by the cell 1 .
- such a module 100 houses the cell stack device 10 including a plurality of cells 1 having high durability, and thus the module 100 can have enhanced durability.
- FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of a module housing device according to an embodiment.
- a module housing device 110 according to an embodiment includes an external case 111 , a module 100 illustrated in FIG. 8 , and an auxiliary device (not illustrated).
- the auxiliary device operates the module 100 .
- the module 100 and the auxiliary device are contained within the external case 111 . Note that in FIG. 9 , a portion of the configuration is omitted.
- the external case 111 of the module housing device 110 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes columns 112 and external plates 113 .
- a dividing plate 114 vertically partitions the interior of the external case 111 .
- the space above the dividing plate 114 in the external case 111 is a module housing room 115 that houses the module 100 .
- the space below the dividing plate 114 in the external case 111 is an auxiliary device housing room 116 that houses the auxiliary device that operates the module 100 . Note that in FIG. 9 , the auxiliary device housed in the auxiliary device housing room 116 is omitted.
- the dividing plate 114 includes an air circulation hole 117 for causing air in the auxiliary device housing room 116 to flow into the module housing room 115 side.
- the external plates 113 constituting the module housing room 115 includes an exhaust hole 118 for discharging air inside the module housing room 115 .
- such a module housing device 110 includes the module 100 having high durability in the module housing room 115 , and thus the module housing device 110 can have enhanced durability.
- a module 100 and a module housing device 110 that uses the cell stack device 10 A illustrated in FIG. 7 A can also be constituted like the module 100 and the module housing device 110 illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 . respectively.
- the fuel electrode is located in the structure 2 and the air electrode is located on the surface of the cell.
- the present disclosure can also be applied to an opposite arrangement, that is, a cell stack device in which the air electrode is located in the structure 2 and the fuel electrode is located on the surface of the cell.
- FIG. 7 A the cell 1 A that uses the structure 40 in which the first support portion 41 , the channel portion 42 , the second support portion 43 , and the connecting portions 44 and 45 are integrated has been described.
- a cell may be manufactured using a portion of such a structure 40 .
- the first support portion 41 , the channel portion 42 , and the connecting portion 44 may be integrated, and an electrically conductive member 6 (see FIG. 1 A ) may be positioned at the rear surface of the channel portion 42 instead of the second support portion 43 and the connecting portion 45 .
- the “cell”, the “cell stack device”, the “module”, and the “module housing device” are exemplified by the fuel cell, a fuel cell stack device, a fuel cell module, and a fuel cell device, respectively, but they may also be exemplified by an electrolytic cell, an electrolytic cell stack device, an electrolytic module, and an electrolytic device, respectively.
- the cell 1 includes the element portion, gas-flow passages 2 a , the first metal portion (support plate 7 ), the second metal portion (sealing plate 9 ), and reinforcing portions 8 a .
- Reaction gas flows through the gas-flow passages 2 a .
- the first metal portion (support plate 7 ) is located between one surface side of the gas-flow passages 2 a and the element portion, and supports the element portion.
- the second metal portion (sealing plate 9 ) is located on the other surface side opposite to the one surface side of the gas-flow passages 2 a .
- the reinforcing portions 8 a are located inside the gas-flow passages 2 a , and face the first metal portion (support plate 7 ) and the second metal portion (sealing plate 9 ). This can enhance the durability of the cell 1 .
- the cell stack device 10 includes the cell stack 11 in which a plurality of cells 1 are stacked on each other. This can enhance the durability of the cell stack device 10 .
- the module 100 includes the cell stack device 10 described above, and the housing container 101 that houses the cell stack device 10 . This can enhance the durability of the module 100 .
- the module housing device 110 includes the module 100 described above, the auxiliary device for operating the module 100 , and the external case that houses the module 100 and the auxiliary device. This can enhance the durability of the module housing device 110 .
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Composite Materials (AREA)
- Fuel Cell (AREA)
Abstract
A cell includes an element portion, a gas-flow passage, a first metal portion, a second metal portion, and a reinforcing portion. Reaction gas flows through the gas-flow passage. The first metal portion is located between one surface side of the gas-flow passage and the element portion, and supports the element portion. The second metal portion is located on the other surface side opposite to the one surface side of the gas-flow passage. The reinforcing portion is located inside the gas-flow passage and faces the first metal portion and the second metal portion.
Description
- The present disclosure relates to a cell, a cell stack device, a module, and a module housing device.
- In recent years, various fuel cell stack devices each including a plurality of fuel cells have been proposed as next-generation energy. The plurality of fuel cells each are a type of cell capable of obtaining electrical power, by using a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas such as air.
- Patent Document 1: JP 2016-195029 A
- In an aspect of an embodiment, a cell includes an element portion, a gas-flow passage, a first metal portion, a second metal portion, and a reinforcing portion. Reaction gas flows through the gas-flow passage. The first metal portion is located between one surface side of the gas-flow passage and the element portion, and supports the element portion. The second metal portion is located on the other surface side opposite to the one surface side of the gas-flow passage. The reinforcing portion is located inside the gas-flow passage and faces the first metal portion and the second metal portion.
- Also, a cell stack device of the present disclosure includes a cell stack including a plurality of the cells mentioned above.
- Also, a module of the present disclosure includes the cell stack device mentioned above and a housing container that houses the cell stack device.
- Also, a module housing device of the present disclosure includes the module mentioned above, an auxiliary device for operating the module, and an external case that houses the module and the auxiliary device.
-
FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cell according to an embodiment. -
FIG. 1B is a side view illustrating the example of the cell according to the embodiment as viewed from an air electrode side. -
FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating an example of a cell stack device according to the embodiment. -
FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X illustrated inFIG. 2A . -
FIG. 2C is a top view illustrating the example of the cell stack device according to the embodiment. -
FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of a structure. -
FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 3A . -
FIG. 4A is a first cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 3B . -
FIG. 4B is a second cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 3B . -
FIG. 5A is a perspective view illustrating another example of the structure. -
FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating another example of the structure. -
FIG. 5C is a perspective view illustrating another example of the structure. -
FIG. 5D is a perspective view illustrating another example of the structure. -
FIG. 6A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region A illustrated inFIG. 1A . -
FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the region A illustrated inFIG. 1A . -
FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cell according to a variation of the embodiment. -
FIG. 7B is a developed view illustrating an example of a structure according to an embodiment. -
FIG. 7C is a developed view illustrating another example of the structure according to the embodiment. -
FIG. 8 is an exterior perspective view illustrating an example of a module according to an embodiment. -
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a module housing device according to an embodiment. - Hereinafter, embodiments of a cell, a cell stack device, a module, and a module housing device disclosed in the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosure is not limited by the following embodiment.
- Note, further, that the drawings are schematic and that the dimensional relationships between elements, the proportions thereof, and the like may differ from the actual ones. There may be differences between the drawings in the dimensional relationships, proportions, and the like.
- First, with reference to
FIGS. 1A and 1B , an example of a solid oxide type fuel cell will be described as a cell according to an embodiment. -
FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of acell 1 according to an embodiment.FIG. 1B is a side view of the example of thecell 1 according to the embodiment as viewed from anair electrode 5 side. Note thatFIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an enlarged portion of each configuration of thecell 1. - In the example illustrated in
FIGS. 1A and 1B , thecell 1 is hollow and flat plate-shaped. As illustrated inFIG. 1B , the overall shape of thecell 1 when viewed from the side is, for example, a rectangle having a side length of from 5 cm to 50 cm in a length direction L and a length of from 1 cm to 10 cm in a width direction W orthogonal to the length direction L. The thickness in a thickness direction T of theentire cell 1 is, for example, from 1 mm to 5 mm. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1A , thecell 1 includes astructure 2 and an element portion. Thestructure 2 has a stacked structure in which a plurality of metal members are stacked up in the thickness direction T. An electricallyconductive member 6 is located betweenadjacent cells 1. The electricallyconductive member 6 electrically connects a plurality ofcells 1. - The element portion is located on one surface side of the
structure 2. The element portion includes afuel electrode 3, asolid electrolyte layer 4, and anair electrode 5. As illustrated inFIG. 1B , theair electrode 5 extends neither to the lower end nor the upper end of thecell 1. At a lower end portion of thecell 1, only thesolid electrolyte layer 4 is exposed to the surface. Note that as illustrated inFIG. 1A , thesolid electrolyte layer 4 is located on an end surface in the width direction W and the length direction L of thefuel electrode 3. Since thesolid electrolyte layer 4 is located on the end surface of thefuel electrode 3, the leakage of the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas is less likely to occur. Note that instead of thesolid electrolyte layer 4, a material having gas blocking properties may be positioned on the end surface of thefuel electrode 3. The material having gas blocking properties may be, for example, glass. - Hereinafter, each of constituent members constituting the
cell 1 will be described. - The
structure 2 includes therein gas-flow passages 2 a through which the reaction gas flows. Thestructure 2 includes, for example, an inlet and an outlet of the gas-flow passages 2 a at an end portion in the length direction L of thecell 1. The reaction gas supplied to the inlet of the gas-flow passages 2 a flows through the gas-flow passages 2 a located inside thestructure 2, and is discharged from the outlet of the gas-flow passages 2 a to the outside of thestructure 2. The reaction gas is, for example, a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas. Thestructure 2 may include a portion that has gas permeability and transmits the fuel gas flowing through the gas-flow passages 2 a to thefuel electrode 3. Thestructure 2 may have electrical conductivity. Thestructure 2 having electrical conductivity collects electricity in the electricallyconductive member 6. Note that for the gas-flow passages 2 a, each of the inlet and the outlet may be located at a respective one of both ends in the length direction L, or the inlet and the outlet may be located both at one end side in the length direction L. - The material of the
structure 2 may be, for example, stainless steel. Thestructure 2 may contain, for example, a metal oxide. - A coating film may be positioned at a portion exposed to an oxidizing atmosphere, of the
structure 2. For example, thecell 1 may include a coating layer that is located between thestructure 2 and the oxidizing atmosphere and that contains at least any one of zinc, manganese, and cobalt. - As a result, the chromium (Cr) contained in the metal material of the
structure 2 is less likely to be released into the oxidizing atmosphere during high-temperature operation. Therefore, according to the embodiment, thestructure 2 can have enhanced durability, and thus thecell 1 can have enhanced durability. - A coating film may be positioned at a portion exposed to a reducing atmosphere, of the
structure 2. For example, thecell 1 may include a coating layer that is located between thestructure 2 and the reducing atmosphere and that contains CeO2. - As a result, the constituent elements are less likely to be released from the portion exposed to the reducing atmosphere of the
structure 2. Therefore, according to the embodiment, thestructure 2 can have enhanced durability, and thus thecell 1 can have enhanced durability. - The
structure 2 includes asupport plate 7, achannel plate 8, and asealing plate 9. Thesupport plate 7 is a first metal portion located between the gas-flow passages 2 a and the element portion. One surface of thesupport plate 7 supports thefuel electrode 3, and the other surface on the opposite side to that of the one surface of thesupport plate 7 faces the gas-flow passages 2 a. Thesupport plate 7 includesopenings 7 a that penetrate from the one surface to the other surface. Thesupport plate 7 has gas permeability. For example, thesupport plate 7 can transmit the fuel gas through theopenings 7 a. - One surface of the
channel plate 8 faces thesupport plate 7, and the other surface on the opposite side to that of the one surface of thechannel plate 8 faces the sealingplate 9. Thechannel plate 8 includes gas-flow passages 2 a through which the fuel gas flows. The gas-flow passages 2 a are in communication with theopenings 7 a. The fuel gas flowing through the gas-flow passages 2 a is supplied to thefuel electrode 3 through theopenings 7 a. - One surface of the sealing
plate 9 faces thechannel plate 8. The sealingplate 9 is a second metal portion that seals the gas-flow passages 2 a. The other surface on the opposite side to that of the one surface of the sealingplate 9 is exposed to the oxidizing atmosphere. The electricallyconductive member 6 is located on the other surface. The sealingplate 9 has gas blocking properties. For example, the sealingplate 9 does not transmit the fuel gas flowing through the gas-flow passages 2 a. Thesupport plate 7, which is the first metal portion, and the sealingplate 9, which is the second metal portion, face each other with the gas-flow passages 2 a interposed therebetween. - The
structure 2 further includes reinforcingportions 8 a. The reinforcingportions 8 a are located inside the gas-flow passages 2 a. One surface of each of the reinforcingportions 8 a faces thesupport plate 7, and the other surface on the opposite side to that of the one surface of each of the reinforcingportions 8 a faces the sealingplate 9. - The reinforcing
portions 8 a extend in the length direction L of thecell 1. Since the reinforcingportions 8 a are located inside the gas-flow passages 2 a, deformation of thestructure 2 such as, for example, bending of thesupport plate 7 and/or the sealingplate 9 can be reduced. Accordingly, thestructure 2 has enhanced durability, and thus thecell 1 can have enhanced durability. - The reinforcing
portions 8 a located inside the gas-flow passages 2 a impart pressure loss to the fuel gas flowing through the gas-flow passages 2 a. Accordingly, the fuel gas flowing through the gas-flow passages 2 a is easily supplied to thefuel electrode 3 via theopening 7 a side. This improves the power generation performance of thecell 1. - The reinforcing
portions 8 a may be located as separate members, for example. Alternatively, the reinforcingportions 8 a may be located as members integrated with another member located around the gas-flow passages 2 a such as, for example, thechannel plate 8 or the sealingplate 9. - As the material of the
fuel electrode 3, a commonly known material may be used. As the material of thefuel electrode 3, a porous conductive ceramic, for example, or a ceramic containing ZrO2 in which calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or a rare earth element oxide is contained as a solid solution, and Ni and/or NiO may be used. As the rare earth element oxide, for example, Y2O3 or the like is used. Hereinafter, ZrO2 in which calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or a rare earth element oxide is contained as a solid solution may be referred to as stabilized zirconia. The stabilized zirconia also includes partially stabilized zirconia. - The
solid electrolyte layer 4 is an electrolyte and bridges ions between thefuel electrode 3 and theair electrode 5. At the same time, thesolid electrolyte layer 4 has gas blocking properties, and makes leakage of the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas less likely to occur. - The material of the
solid electrolyte layer 4 may be, for example, ZrO2 in which 3 mol% to 15 mol% of a rare earth element oxide is contained as a solid solution. As the rare earth element oxide, for example, Y2O3 or the like is used. Note that another material may be used as the material of thesolid electrolyte layer 4, as long as the material has the aforementioned characteristics. - The material of the
air electrode 5 is not particularly limited, as long as the material is commonly used for an air electrode. The material of theair electrode 5 may be, for example, a conductive ceramic such as an ABO3 type perovskite oxide. - The material of the
air electrode 5 may be, for example, a composite oxide in which Sr and La coexist in an A site. Examples of such a composite oxide include LaxSr1-xCoyFe1-yO3, LaxSr1-xMnO3, LaxSr1-xFeO3, and LaxSr1-xCoO3. Here, x is 0 < x < 1, and y is 0 < y < 1. - Further, the
air electrode 5 has gas permeability. The open porosity of theair electrode 5 may be, for example, 20% or more, and particularly may be in a range from 30% to 50%. - Next, a
cell stack device 10 according to the present embodiment using thecell 1 described above will be described with reference toFIGS. 2A to 2C .FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating an example of thecell stack device 10 according to the embodiment.FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X illustrated inFIG. 2A .FIG. 2C is a top view illustrating the example of thecell stack device 10 according to the embodiment. - As illustrated in
FIG. 2A , thecell stack device 10 includes acell stack 11 that includes a plurality of thecells 1 arrayed (stacked) in the thickness direction T (seeFIG. 1A ) of thecell 1, and a fixingmember 12. - The fixing
member 12 includes abonding material 13 and asupport member 14. Thesupport member 14 supports thecells 1. Thebonding material 13 bonds thecells 1 with thesupport member 14. Further, thesupport member 14 includes asupport body 15 and agas tank 16. Thesupport body 15 and thegas tank 16, constituting thesupport member 14, are made of metal and electrically conductive. - As illustrated in
FIG. 2B , thesupport body 15 includes aninsertion hole 15 a into which the lower end portion of the plurality ofcells 1 are inserted. The lower end portions of the plurality ofcells 1 and an inner wall of theinsertion hole 15 a are bonded by thebonding material 13. - The
gas tank 16 includes an opening portion through which a reaction gas is supplied to the plurality ofcells 1 via theinsertion hole 15 a, and a recessedgroove 16 a located in the periphery of the opening portion. An outer peripheral end portion of thesupport body 15 is fixed to thegas tank 16 by a fixingmaterial 21 filled in the recessedgroove 16 a of thegas tank 16. - In the example illustrated in
FIG. 2A , the fuel gas is stored in aninternal space 22 formed by thesupport body 15 and thegas tank 16. Thesupport body 15 and thegas tank 16 constitute thesupport member 14. Thegas tank 16 includes agas circulation pipe 20 connected thereto. The fuel gas is supplied to thegas tank 16 through thisgas circulation pipe 20, and is supplied from thegas tank 16 to the gas-flow passages 2 a (seeFIG. 1A ) inside thecells 1. The fuel gas supplied to thegas tank 16 is produced by a reformer 102 (seeFIG. 8 ), which will be described later. - A hydrogen-rich fuel gas can be produced, for example, by steam reforming a raw fuel. When the fuel gas is produced by the steam reforming, the fuel gas contains steam.
- In the example illustrated in
FIG. 2A , thecell stack 11 including a plurality ofcells 1 includes two rows of cell stacks 11, twosupport bodies 15, and thegas tank 16. Two rows of the cell stacks 11 each have a plurality ofcells 1. Each of the cell stacks 11 is fixed to a corresponding one of thesupport bodies 15. Thegas tank 16 includes two through holes in an upper surface thereof. Each of thesupport bodies 15 is disposed in a corresponding one of the through holes. Theinternal space 22 is formed by thesingle gas tank 16 and the twosupport bodies 15. - The
insertion hole 15 a has, for example, an oval shape in a top surface view. The length of theinsertion hole 15 a, for example, in an array direction of thecells 1, that is, the thickness direction T thereof, is greater than the distance between two endcurrent collectors 17 located at two ends of thecell stack 11. The width of theinsertion hole 15 a is, for example, greater than the length of thecell 1 in the width direction W (seeFIG. 1A ). Note that the shape of theinsertion hole 15 a may be substantially rectangular long in the array direction of thecells 1. - As illustrated in
FIG. 2B , thebonding material 13 is filled and solidified in a bonding portion between the inner wall of theinsertion hole 15 a and the lower end portion of thecells 1. As a result, the inner wall of theinsertion hole 15 a and the lower end portion of the plurality ofcells 1 are bonded and fixed, and the lower end portions of thecells 1 are bonded and fixed to each other. Each of thecells 1 includes, at the lower end portion thereof, the gas-flow passages 2 a that communicate with theinternal space 22 of thesupport member 14. - As the
bonding material 13 and the fixingmaterial 21, a material having a low conductivity such as glass can be used. As a specific material of thebonding material 13 and the fixingmaterial 21, an amorphous glass or the like may be used, or particularly, a crystallized glass or the like may be used. - As the crystallized glass, for example, any one of SiO2-CaO-based, MgO-B2O3-based, La2O3-B2O3-MgO-based, La2O3-B2O3-ZnO-based, and SiO2-CaO-ZnO-based materials may be used, or particularly, a SiO2-MgO-based material may be used.
- As illustrated in
FIG. 2B , an electricallyconductive member 6 is interposed betweenadjacent cells 1 of the plurality ofcells 1. The electricallyconductive member 6 is bonded to theair electrode 5 with an adhesive. The electricallyconductive member 6 includes an opening penetrating the electricallyconductive member 6 in the thickness direction. Air is supplied to theair electrode 5 via this opening. - Further, as illustrated in
FIG. 2B , the endcurrent collectors 17 are electrically connected to thecells 1 located at the outermost sides in the array direction of the plurality ofcells 1. The endcurrent collectors 17 are each connected to an electricallyconductive portion 19 protruding outward from thecell stack 11. The electricallyconductive portion 19 collects electricity generated by thecells 1, and conducts the electricity to the outside. Note that inFIG. 2A , the endcurrent collectors 17 are not illustrated. - Further, as illustrated in
FIG. 2C , in thecell stack device 10, twocell stacks 11A and 11B, which are connected in series, function as one battery. Thus, the electricallyconductive portion 19 of thecell stack device 10 is divided into apositive electrode terminal 19A, anegative electrode terminal 19B, and a connection terminal 19C. - The
positive electrode terminal 19A functions as a positive electrode when the electrical power generated by thecell stack 11 is output to the outside, and is electrically connected to the endcurrent collector 17 on a positive electrode side in thecell stack 11A. Thenegative electrode terminal 19B functions as a negative electrode when the electrical power generated by thecell stack 11 is output to the outside, and is electrically connected to the endcurrent collector 17 on a negative electrode side in the cell stack 11B. - The connection terminal 19C electrically connects the end
current collector 17 on a negative electrode side in thecell stack 11A and the endcurrent collector 17 on a positive electrode side in the cell stack 11B. The material of the electricallyconductive member 6, the endcurrent collectors 17, and the electricallyconductive portion 19 may each be a conductive metal or alloy, for example, stainless steel. The electricallyconductive members 6, the endcurrent collectors 17, and the electricallyconductive portion 19 may include a coating layer containing, for example, at least any one of zinc, manganese, and cobalt. - A specific configuration example of the
structure 2 will be described with reference toFIGS. 3A to 4B .FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of a structure.FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 3A . - As illustrated in
FIGS. 3A and 3B . thestructure 2 includes thesupport plate 7, thechannel plate 8, and the sealingplate 9 Thesupport plate 7 includesopenings 7 a that penetrate thesupport plate 7 in the thickness direction. - The
channel plate 8 includes afirst channel plate 81 and asecond channel plate 82. Thefirst channel plate 81 includes reinforcingportions 8 a andopening portions 8 b. The openingportions 8 b penetrate thefirst channel plate 81 in the thickness direction and extend in the length direction L. The openingportions 8 b are located in plurality and side-by-side in the width direction W of thefirst channel plate 81. The reinforcingportions 8 a are sandwiched between adjacent openingportions 8 b. - The
second channel plate 82 includes protruding portions 8 c andcutout portions 8 d. The protruding portion 8 c and thecutout portion 8 d are located at both ends in the length direction L of thesecond channel plate 82 so as to correspond to the reinforcingportions 8 a and theopening portion 8 b of thefirst channel plate 81, respectively. - The sealing
plate 9 is a flat plate-shaped metal member. Thesupport plate 7, thefirst channel plate 81, thesecond channel plate 82, and the sealingplate 9 have substantially the same dimensions in the length direction L and the width direction W. Thesupport plate 7, thefirst channel plate 81, thesecond channel plate 82, and the sealingplate 9 are bonded to each other at least at the end portion in the length direction L and the width direction W by brazing, welding, or diffusion bonding, and are integrated as thestructure 2. As illustrated inFIG. 3B , thestructure 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. -
FIG. 4A is a first cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 3B .FIG. 4B is a second cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 3B .FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of thestructure 2 illustrated inFIG. 3B as viewed in the thickness direction T of thestructure 2 along the length direction L and the width direction W, respectively. - As illustrated in
FIG. 4B , the reinforcingportions 8 a face thesupport plate 7 that serves as the first metal portion and thesecond channel plate 82 that serves as the second metal portion. This can suppress deformation of thesupport plate 7 and thesecond channel plate 82. - The reinforcing
portions 8 a are integrally formed as part of thefirst channel plate 81 that serves as a third metal portion. This can reduce the number of parts and enhance the design accuracy of thestructure 2. Since thestructure 2 can have reduced bonding points, thestructure 2 can have improved durability. Accordingly, thecell 1 including such astructure 2 has improved durability. - On the other hand, as illustrated in
FIGS. 4A and 4B , the openingportions 8 b are in communication with thecutout portion 8 d of thesecond channel plate 82. As a result, the fuel gas supplied from thecutout portion 8 d side located on one end side in the length direction L is discharged from thecutout portion 8 d side located on the other end side in the length direction L via the openingportions 8 b. That is, the openingportions 8 b and thecutout portion 8 d are also the gas-flow passages 2 a illustrated inFIG. 1A . - Since the
channel plate 8 is constituted by thefirst channel plate 81 and thesecond channel plate 82 stacked on each other, the fuel gas supplied to the inside of thestructure 2 flows in the thickness direction T from thecutout portions 8 d toward the openingportions 8 b. Accordingly, the fuel gas flowing through the gas-flow passages 2 a is easily supplied to the fuel electrode 3 (seeFIG. 1A ) via theopening 7 a side. This improves the power generation performance of thecell 1. - In the example described above, the
structure 2 in which three or four metal members are stacked on each other has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.FIGS. 5A to 5D are perspective views illustrating another example of the structure. - As illustrated in
FIG. 5A , astructure 2A includesouter edges 23, reinforcingportions 24,channel portions 25, and arear surface portion 26. Thestructure 2A also includes an unillustrated support plate 7 (seeFIG. 3A ). - The outer edges 23 and the reinforcing
portions 24 abut on thesupport plate 7. Thechannel portion 25 corresponds to the gas-flow passages 2 a (seeFIG. 1A ) located between thestructure 2A and thesupport plate 7. The electrically conductive member 6 (seeFIG. 1A ) is located at therear surface portion 26. That is, thestructure 2A can be used in place of, for example, thechannel plate 8 and the sealingplate 9 illustrated inFIG. 1A . - As illustrated in
FIG. 5B , a structure 2B differs from thestructure 2A in that protrudingportions 27 and recessedportions 28 are located at therear surface portion 26. The recessedportion 28 located at therear surface portion 26 can be utilized as a gas-flow passages through which the oxygen-containing gas flows. - As illustrated in
FIG. 5C , a structure 2C differs from thestructure 2A in that the structure 2C includes a plurality of reinforcingportions 29 protruding from thechannel portion 25 instead of the reinforcingportions 24 extending in the length direction. Even when such a structure 2C is used, the structure 2C including thesupport plate 7 can have improved durability. Accordingly, thecell 1 including such a structure 2C has improved durability. - The structure 2C including the reinforcing
portions 29 imparts greater pressure loss to the reaction gas flowing through thechannel portion 25 compared to thestructure 2A including the reinforcingportions 24. Accordingly, the reaction gas flowing through thechannel portion 25 is easily supplied to thefuel electrode 3 via theopenings 7 a side of thesupport plate 7. This improves the power generation performance of thecell 1. - As illustrated in
FIG. 5D , a structure 2D including reinforcingportions 30 extending in the width direction intersecting the length direction through which the reaction gas flows may be positioned in thecell 1. Since the reinforcingportions 30 extend so as to intersect the direction in which the reaction gas flows, the pressure loss imparted to the reaction gas flowing through thechannel portion 25 is greater compared to a case in which reinforcingportions 24 extending along the direction in which the reaction gas flows are included. Accordingly, the reaction gas flowing through thechannel portion 25 is easily supplied to thefuel electrode 3 via theopening 7 a side of thesupport plate 7. This improves the power generation performance of thecell 1. Note that the length direction in which the reaction gas flows is a first direction, that is, the direction directed from the inlet toward the outlet of the gas-flow passages 2 a. The width direction is a second direction, that is, the direction intersecting the first direction. -
FIG. 6A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region A illustrated inFIG. 1A . As illustrated inFIG. 6A , acoating layer 71 is located on the surface on thefuel electrode 3 side of thesupport plate 7. An adhesive 31 having electrical conductivity is located between thefuel electrode 3 and the support plate 7 (coating layer 71), and adheres thefuel electrode 3 and the support plate 7 (coating layer 71) to each other. - The
coating layer 71 is a natural oxide film containing, for example, chromium oxide (Cr2O3). Thecoating layer 71 may also contain electrically conductive particles and titanium. The electrically conductive particles contain, for example, nickel. The electrically conductive particles may also contain, for example, yttrium. The adhesive 31 contains electrically conductive particles such as Ni, for example, and inorganic oxides such as TiO2 and Y2O3. The adhesive 31 has gas permeability and electrical conductivity. - In the example illustrated in
FIG. 6A , the adhesive 31 is located between thefuel electrode 3 and the support plate 7 (coating layer 71). However, the adhesive 31 need not be located therebetween. -
FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the region A illustrated inFIG. 1A . As illustrated inFIG. 6B , thefuel electrode 3 and the support plate 7 (coating layer 71) may face each other with no adhesive interposed therebetween. Thefuel electrode 3 facing theopenings 7 a and serving as the first electrode may protrude into theopenings 7 a (e.g., thestate 3 a). Since thefuel electrode 3 protrudes into theopenings 7 a, for example, even when no adhesive is interposed therebetween, the bonding strength between thefuel electrode 3 and the support plate 7 (coating layer 71) is improved, and thus thecell 1 has improved durability. - Note that the
fuel electrode 3 may be located spaced apart from theopenings 7 a (e.g., thestate 3 b). The adhesive 31 may be located between thefuel electrode 3 and the support plate 7 (coating layer 71), and the adhesive 31 may be located inside theopenings 7 a. -
FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cell according to a variation of the embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 7A . a cell 1A includes astructure 40 made of metal located between element portions that are adjacent in the thickness direction T. Thestructure 40 includes afirst support portion 41, achannel portion 42, asecond support portion 43, and connectingportions - One surface of the
first support portion 41 supports thefuel electrode 3 of the element portion, and the other surface on the opposite side to that of the one surface of thefirst support portion 41 faces the gas-flow passages 2 a. Thefirst support portion 41 also includesopenings 41 a that penetrate from the one surface to the other surface. The gas-flow passages 2 a and thefuel electrode 3 are in communication with each other through theopenings 41 a. Thefirst support portion 41 is an example of the first metal portion. - One surface of the
channel portion 42 faces the gas-flow passages 2 a, and the other surface of thechannel portion 42 faces anair introduction portion 49. Thechannel portion 42 is an example of the second metal portion. - One surface of the
second support portion 43 supports theair electrode 5 of the element portion included in an adjacent cell 1A, and the other surface on the opposite side to that of the one surface of thesecond support portion 43 faces theair introduction portion 49. Thesecond support portion 43 includesopenings 43 a that penetrate from the one surface to the other surface. Theair introduction portion 49 and theair electrode 5 are in communication with each other through theopenings 43 a. Thesecond support portion 43 is an example of a fourth metal portion. - The connecting
portion 44 connects thefirst support portion 41 and thechannel portion 42. The connectingportion 44 is located on one end side in the width direction W, and connects thefirst support portion 41 and thechannel portion 42. Aspacer 46 is located on the other end side in the width direction W with the gas-flow passages 2 a interposed between the connectingportion 44 and thespacer 46. Thespacer 46 ensures the airtightness of the gas-flow passages 2 a and the strength of thestructure 40. - The connecting
portion 45 connects thechannel portion 42 and thesecond support portion 43. The connectingportion 45 is located on the other end side in the width direction W, and connects thechannel portion 42 and thesecond support portion 43. A spacer 47 is located on the other end side in the width direction W with the gas-flow passages 2 a interposed between the connectingportion 45 and the spacer 47. The spacer 47 ensures the strength of thestructure 40. - Since the
structure 40 is constituted by one continuous metal material in this manner, the electrical conductivity increases compared to a case in which a plurality of metal materials are stacked on each other. This reduces the internal resistance of the cell 1A, and thus improves the battery performance. Since the number of parts is reduced, the bonding or adhering points between members are reduced. This makes it relatively easy to ensure the airtightness of the gas-flow passages 2 a, for example, and the cell 1A can have enhanced durability. - As illustrated in
FIG. 7A . reinforcingportions 48 serving as the third metal portion may be located inside the gas-flow passages 2 a. This can further enhance the strength of thestructure 40, and thus the cell 1A can have enhanced durability. This can also impart pressure loss to the fuel gas flowing inside the gas-flow passages 2 a. and thus the fuel gas can easily flow into the opening 41 a that are in communication with thefuel electrode 3. Although not illustrated, reinforcing portions may be located inside theair introduction portion 49. - Here, in comparison between the area S1 of the
air electrode 5 as viewed in plan view (top surface view) and the area S2 of the regions where theopenings 43 a are located, the relationship of S1 < S2 may be satisfied. As a result, the entire surface of theair electrode 5 having the area S1 can be effectively utilized for battery reaction. - The outside of the cell 1A and the
air introduction portion 49 are in communication with each other through theopenings 43 a located at the end portions in the width direction W. Accordingly, the oxygen-containing gas (air) can be easily taken into the inside of the cell 1A via theopenings 43 a. Note that inFIG. 7A , a configuration is illustrated in which theopening 43 a located at both end portions in the width direction W are in communication with the outside of the cell 1A. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and anopening 43 a located at one end in the width direction W may be in communication with the outside of the cell 1A. - In comparison between the area S3 of the
fuel electrode 3 as viewed in plan view (top surface view) and the area S4 of the regions where theopenings 41 a are located, the relationship of S3 > S4 may be satisfied. As a result, the airtightness of thefuel electrode 3 can be ensured. - A manufacturing example of the
structure 40 will be described usingFIGS. 7B and 7C .FIG. 7B is a developed view illustrating an example of thestructure 40 according to the embodiment.FIG. 7C is a developed view illustrating another example of thestructure 40 according to the embodiment. Note that inFIGS. 7B and 7C , illustration of theopenings - As illustrated in
FIG. 7B , thestructure 40 can be manufactured by bending a rectangular plate-shaped member made of a metal material. Specifically, thestructure 40 illustrated inFIG. 7A can be manufactured, for example, by making a mountain fold at the line L1 and making a valley fold at the line L2. - As illustrated in
FIG. 7C , astructure 40A similar to thestructure 40 may be manufactured by bending a rectangular plate-shaped member made of a metal material. In the example illustrated inFIG. 7C , thestructure 40A including a first support portion 41A, achannel portion 42A, asecond support portion 43A, a connectingportion 44A, and a connectingportion 50 can be obtained by making a mountain fold at the line L1 and making a valley fold at the line L2. The first support portion 41A, thechannel portion 42A, the second support portion 43A. and the connectingportion 44A correspond to thefirst support portion 41, thechannel portion 42. thesecond support portion 43, and the connectingportion 44 illustrated inFIG. 7B , respectively. The configuration corresponding to the connectingportion 45 inFIG. 7B may be constituted by a spacer or the like, for example. - A
module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure that uses the aforementionedcell stack device 10 will be described with reference toFIG. 8 .FIG. 8 is an exterior perspective view illustrating a module according to the embodiment.FIG. 8 illustrates a state in which a front surface and a rear surface, which are part of ahousing container 101, are removed and thecell stack device 10, which is a fuel cell housed inside, is pulled out to the rear. - As illustrated in
FIG. 8 , themodule 100 includes thehousing container 101, and thecell stack device 10 housed in thehousing container 101. Also, thereformer 102 is disposed above thecell stack device 10. - The
reformer 102 generates a fuel gas by reforming a raw fuel such as natural gas and kerosene, and supplies the fuel gas to thecell 1. The raw fuel is supplied to thereformer 102 through the rawfuel supply pipe 103. Thereformer 102 may include avaporizing unit 102 a for vaporizing water and a reformingunit 102 b. The reformingunit 102 b includes a reforming catalyst (not illustrated) for reforming the raw fuel into a fuel gas. Such areformer 102 can perform steam reforming, which is a highly efficient reforming reaction. - Then, the fuel gas generated by the
reformer 102 is supplied to the gas-flow passage 2 a (seeFIG. 1A ) of thecell 1 through thegas circulation pipe 20, thegas tank 16, and thesupport member 14. - Also, in the
module 100 having the configuration mentioned above, the temperature in themodule 100 during normal power generation is about 500° C. to 1000° C. due to combustion of gas and power generation by thecell 1. - As described above, such a
module 100 houses thecell stack device 10 including a plurality ofcells 1 having high durability, and thus themodule 100 can have enhanced durability. -
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of a module housing device according to an embodiment. Amodule housing device 110 according to an embodiment includes anexternal case 111, amodule 100 illustrated inFIG. 8 , and an auxiliary device (not illustrated). The auxiliary device operates themodule 100. Themodule 100 and the auxiliary device are contained within theexternal case 111. Note that inFIG. 9 , a portion of the configuration is omitted. - The
external case 111 of themodule housing device 110 illustrated inFIG. 9 includescolumns 112 andexternal plates 113. A dividingplate 114 vertically partitions the interior of theexternal case 111. The space above the dividingplate 114 in theexternal case 111 is amodule housing room 115 that houses themodule 100. The space below the dividingplate 114 in theexternal case 111 is an auxiliarydevice housing room 116 that houses the auxiliary device that operates themodule 100. Note that inFIG. 9 , the auxiliary device housed in the auxiliarydevice housing room 116 is omitted. - The dividing
plate 114 includes anair circulation hole 117 for causing air in the auxiliarydevice housing room 116 to flow into themodule housing room 115 side. Theexternal plates 113 constituting themodule housing room 115 includes anexhaust hole 118 for discharging air inside themodule housing room 115. - As described above, such a
module housing device 110 includes themodule 100 having high durability in themodule housing room 115, and thus themodule housing device 110 can have enhanced durability. - Note that although description with illustration is omitted, a
module 100 and amodule housing device 110 that uses the cell stack device 10A illustrated inFIG. 7A can also be constituted like themodule 100 and themodule housing device 110 illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9 . respectively. - In the embodiments described above, an example is illustrated in which the fuel electrode is located in the
structure 2 and the air electrode is located on the surface of the cell. However, the present disclosure can also be applied to an opposite arrangement, that is, a cell stack device in which the air electrode is located in thestructure 2 and the fuel electrode is located on the surface of the cell. - In
FIG. 7A , the cell 1A that uses thestructure 40 in which thefirst support portion 41, thechannel portion 42, thesecond support portion 43, and the connectingportions structure 40. For example, thefirst support portion 41, thechannel portion 42, and the connectingportion 44 may be integrated, and an electrically conductive member 6 (seeFIG. 1A ) may be positioned at the rear surface of thechannel portion 42 instead of thesecond support portion 43 and the connectingportion 45. - Further, in the aforementioned embodiment, the “cell”, the “cell stack device”, the “module”, and the “module housing device” are exemplified by the fuel cell, a fuel cell stack device, a fuel cell module, and a fuel cell device, respectively, but they may also be exemplified by an electrolytic cell, an electrolytic cell stack device, an electrolytic module, and an electrolytic device, respectively.
- While the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment, and various changes, improvements, and the like can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.
- As described above, the
cell 1 according to the embodiment includes the element portion, gas-flow passages 2 a, the first metal portion (support plate 7), the second metal portion (sealing plate 9), and reinforcingportions 8 a. Reaction gas flows through the gas-flow passages 2 a. The first metal portion (support plate 7) is located between one surface side of the gas-flow passages 2 a and the element portion, and supports the element portion. The second metal portion (sealing plate 9) is located on the other surface side opposite to the one surface side of the gas-flow passages 2 a. The reinforcingportions 8 a are located inside the gas-flow passages 2 a, and face the first metal portion (support plate 7) and the second metal portion (sealing plate 9). This can enhance the durability of thecell 1. - The
cell stack device 10 according to the embodiment includes thecell stack 11 in which a plurality ofcells 1 are stacked on each other. This can enhance the durability of thecell stack device 10. - Further, the
module 100 according to the embodiment includes thecell stack device 10 described above, and thehousing container 101 that houses thecell stack device 10. This can enhance the durability of themodule 100. - Further, the
module housing device 110 according to the embodiment includes themodule 100 described above, the auxiliary device for operating themodule 100, and the external case that houses themodule 100 and the auxiliary device. This can enhance the durability of themodule housing device 110. - Noted that the embodiment disclosed herein is exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. Indeed, the aforementioned embodiment can be embodied in a variety of forms. Furthermore, the aforementioned embodiment may be omitted, replaced, or changed in various forms without departing from the scope of the appended claims and the purpose thereof.
-
- 1 Cell
- 6 Electrically conductive member
- 10 Cell stack device
- 11 Cell stack
- 12 Fixing member
- 13 Bonding material
- 14 Support member
- 15 Support body
- 16 Gas tank
- 17 End current collector
- 100 Module
- 110 Module housing device
Claims (11)
1. A cell comprising:
an element portion,
a gas-flow passage through which reaction gas flows;
a first metal portion
located between one surface side of the gas-flow passage and the element portion and
supporting the element portion;
a second metal portion located on another surface side opposite to the one surface side of the gas-flow passage; and
a reinforcing portion
located inside the gas-flow passage and
facing the first metal portion and the second metal portion.
2. The cell according to claim 1 , wherein
the first metal portion is configured to transmit the reaction gas between the gas-flow passage and the element portion, and
the second metal portion does not transmit the reaction gas.
3. The cell according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a third metal portion
located between the first metal portion and the second metal portion, the first metal portion and the second metal portion facing each other with the gas-flow passage interposed therebetween, and
comprising the reinforcing portion.
4. The cell according to claim 1 , wherein
the gas-flow passage comprises an inlet and an outlet for the reaction gas, and
the reinforcing portion extends in a second direction intersecting a first direction directed from the inlet toward the outlet.
5. The cell according to claim 1 , wherein
the first metal portion comprises an opening coupled to the gas-flow passage and the element portion and
a first electrode of the element portion faces the opening, and protrudes into the opening or is spaced apart from the opening.
6. The cell according to claim 1 , wherein
the first metal portion and the second metal portion are a continuous metal material.
7. The cell according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a fourth metal portion located on an opposite side of the gas-flow passage with the second metal portion interposed between the fourth metal portion and the gas-flow passage, wherein
the first metal portion, the second metal portion, and the fourth metal portion are a continuous metal material.
8. The cell according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a fourth metal portion located on an opposite side of the gas-flow passage with the second metal portion interposed between the fourth metal portion and the gas-flow passage; and
a coating layer located between the fourth metal portion and an oxidizing atmosphere, the coating layer containing at least one of zinc, manganese, and cobalt.
9. A cell stack device comprising the cell according to claim 1 in plurality.
10. A module comprising:
the cell stack device according to claim 9 ; and
a housing container configured to house the cell stack device.
11. A module housing device comprising:
the module according to claim 10 ;
an auxiliary device configured to operate the module; and
an external case configured to house the module and the auxiliary device.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2020080853 | 2020-04-30 | ||
JP2020-080853 | 2020-04-30 | ||
PCT/JP2021/016780 WO2021221052A1 (en) | 2020-04-30 | 2021-04-27 | Cell, cell stack device, module, and module housing device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20230246220A1 true US20230246220A1 (en) | 2023-08-03 |
Family
ID=78374127
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/921,401 Pending US20230246220A1 (en) | 2020-04-30 | 2021-04-27 | Cell, cell stack device, module, and module housing device |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20230246220A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4145570A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPWO2021221052A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN115398685A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2021221052A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH0773057B2 (en) * | 1986-02-12 | 1995-08-02 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Internal reforming fuel cell |
JPH03110761A (en) * | 1989-09-22 | 1991-05-10 | Fuji Electric Co Ltd | High temperature type fuel battery |
JP3364028B2 (en) * | 1994-12-13 | 2003-01-08 | 三菱重工業株式会社 | Solid polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell body |
JP2008071633A (en) * | 2006-09-14 | 2008-03-27 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell |
JP5721019B2 (en) * | 2014-03-20 | 2015-05-20 | 日産自動車株式会社 | Fuel cell stack and deformation absorbing member used for fuel cell stack |
JP6463203B2 (en) | 2015-03-31 | 2019-01-30 | 大阪瓦斯株式会社 | Electrochemical element, electrochemical module including the same, electrochemical device and energy system |
BR112018070652B1 (en) * | 2016-04-08 | 2022-08-02 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SINGLE CELL |
JP2019061939A (en) * | 2017-09-28 | 2019-04-18 | ダイハツ工業株式会社 | Fuel cell |
JP6800201B2 (en) * | 2018-03-23 | 2020-12-16 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Fuel cell stack |
JP6928718B2 (en) * | 2018-03-30 | 2021-09-01 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Fuel cell |
US20210075047A1 (en) * | 2018-03-30 | 2021-03-11 | Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. | Fuel Cell Single Unit, Fuel Cell Module, and Fuel Cell Device |
-
2021
- 2021-04-27 EP EP21796657.1A patent/EP4145570A1/en active Pending
- 2021-04-27 WO PCT/JP2021/016780 patent/WO2021221052A1/en unknown
- 2021-04-27 US US17/921,401 patent/US20230246220A1/en active Pending
- 2021-04-27 JP JP2022518080A patent/JPWO2021221052A1/ja active Pending
- 2021-04-27 CN CN202180029105.8A patent/CN115398685A/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPWO2021221052A1 (en) | 2021-11-04 |
EP4145570A1 (en) | 2023-03-08 |
CN115398685A (en) | 2022-11-25 |
WO2021221052A1 (en) | 2021-11-04 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
DK3046171T3 (en) | FUEL CELL AND FUEL CELL STACK. | |
EP4145574A1 (en) | Cell, cell stack device, module, and module accommodating device | |
JP2023139044A (en) | Electrochemical cell device, module, and module storage device | |
US20220376271A1 (en) | Cell stack device, module, module housing device, and metal member | |
US20230246220A1 (en) | Cell, cell stack device, module, and module housing device | |
US20230387422A1 (en) | Cell, cell stack device, module, and module housing device | |
US20230044104A1 (en) | Cell stack device, module, module housing device, and conductive member | |
US20230123142A1 (en) | Composite member, cell stack device, module, and module housing device | |
US20230178776A1 (en) | Cell, cell stack device, module, and module housing device | |
US11799095B2 (en) | Conductive member, cell, cell stack device, module, and module housing device | |
US20230327162A1 (en) | Cell, cell stack device, module, and module housing device | |
WO2024117052A1 (en) | Composite member, electrochemical cell, electrochemical cell device, module, and module storage device | |
WO2024095998A1 (en) | Electrochemical cell, electrochemical cell device, module, and module-accommodating device | |
US20230223565A1 (en) | Cell stack device, module, and module housing device | |
WO2024071416A1 (en) | Electrochemical cell, electrochemical cell device, module, and module accommodating device | |
US11658326B2 (en) | Cell stack device, module, and module housing device | |
WO2023286749A1 (en) | Electrochemical cell, electrochemical cell device, module, and module storage device | |
JP7381367B2 (en) | Cell stack equipment, modules and module housing equipment | |
WO2024071093A1 (en) | Electroconductive member, electrochemical cell device, module, and module accommodation device | |
WO2021221077A1 (en) | Cell, cell stack device, module, and module accommodating device | |
JP2024048859A (en) | Electrochemical cell device, module and module housing device | |
JP2022131905A (en) | Cell, cell stack device, module, and module housing device | |
JP2024060852A (en) | Electrochemical cell device, module and module housing device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: KYOCERA CORPORATION, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SENO, HIROAKI;FUJIMOTO, TETSURO;SIGNING DATES FROM 20210428 TO 20220507;REEL/FRAME:061542/0377 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |